wildside annual report 2010 - 2015 final version
TRANSCRIPT
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust
Wildside Report
2010 – 2015
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust Wildside Report 2010 – 2015
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Contents Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Significance of Wildside Project ................................................................................................................ 6
Wildside Outcomes ................................................................................................................................... 9
Wildside Vision .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Outcomes .............................................................................................................................................. 9
A: Community ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Trappers Workshop ................................................................................................................................ 10
A&P Shows and Events ........................................................................................................................... 11
School Engagement................................................................................................................................. 11
Conservation Awareness ........................................................................................................................ 12
Wildside Supporters Group ..................................................................................................................... 13
B: Collaboration .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Wildside Review ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Research .................................................................................................................................................. 14
Funding ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Corporate Sponsors ............................................................................................................................ 14
Funders ............................................................................................................................................... 15
C: Habitat .................................................................................................................................................... 16
Covenanting ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Reserves .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Possum Control ....................................................................................................................................... 17
D: Species .................................................................................................................................................... 17
Outcome Monitoring .............................................................................................................................. 18
Titi / Sooty Shearwater ........................................................................................................................... 18
Yellow-eyed Penguins / Hoiho ................................................................................................................ 20
White-flippered Little Blue Penguins ...................................................................................................... 21
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Predator Control ......................................................................................................................................... 23
Ecological context for pest control ......................................................................................................... 23
Predator Control Results ......................................................................................................................... 24
Feral Cats ................................................................................................................................................. 24
Stoats ...................................................................................................................................................... 24
Ferrets ..................................................................................................................................................... 24
Hedgehogs .............................................................................................................................................. 24
Rats ......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Mice ........................................................................................................................................................ 25
Tracking Tunnel Results .......................................................................................................................... 25
References .................................................................................................................................................. 27
Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 28
Table of Photos ................................................................................................................................... 28
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Table of Figures Figure 1 Wildside Map .................................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 2 Outcome, monitoring method and results. .................................................................................. 18
Figure 3 Titi burrow monitoring results 1995-2015. ................................................................................... 19
Figure 4 Yellow-eyed penguin / Hoiho nest and chick results 1998-2015 .................................................. 20
Figure 5 White-flippered penguin colony count at Flea Bay 2000-2013. ................................................... 22
Figure 6 Predator trapping summary 2009-2014. ...................................................................................... 24
Figure 7 DOC: Prioritising and Partnering to Manage Biodiversity (Performance Audit Report) Dec 201;
appendix 3; page 81. ................................................................................................................................... 30
Figure 8 Wildside Financial Summary 2015. ............................................................................................... 31
Figure 9 Possum monitoring results in Misty Peaks CCC Reserve .............................................................. 32
Figure 10 Spotted skink monitoring results titi enclosure. ......................................................................... 32
Figure 11 List of Wildside endemics and threat ranking, DOC (below). ..................................................... 33
Report prepared by Marie Haley, BPCT Wildside Coordinator
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Executive Summary
This report has been prepared for the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust (BPCT) Wildside Project. The
Wildside is an area of 13,500 ha on the South-eastern bays of Banks Peninsula. It covers a mixture of
private rural farmland (75%) and private and public conservation reserves (25%), the largest of which is
Hinewai Reserve at 1270 ha.
Over 25 years the Wildside Project has grown from a small scale grassroots farmer-led conservation
initiative to a nationally recognised conservation programme, that is restoring this living working
landscape through predator control operations and the protection of forest habitat.
The Wildside has been strengthened by the employment of a Wildside Coordinator and the
collaboration of engaged parties through the Wildside Committee. Outcomes have been set by
representatives of the Wildside community. A strategic charter document has been created to assist in
collaboration towards reaching outcomes and monitoring is undertaken to gauge if the Wildside is on
track to achieve these goals. Predator control data and reporting has been standardised and is collated
at a central location. A Wildside map has been created to assist in management and to educate the
community of the scale and impact of the Wildside Project. Substantial funding and corporate
partnerships have been secured, working towards financial sustainability of the conservation projects.
A comprehensive review of the project has been completed with assistance from Department of
Conservation staff and the report and recommendations now assists in the strategic planning and
improvement of all conservation planning, especially predator control operations on the Wildside.
This Wildside Report 2010 – 2015 tracks the achievements and complexity of a project embracing the
challenge to restore the whole environment with a vision of “healthy land, water, people from summit
to sea: Hei waiora, Hei whenua ora, Hei tangata ora, Ki uta ki tai”, in line with the 2015 United Nations
Sustainable Development Goal 15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse
land degradation, halt biodiversity loss (United Nations, 2015).
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Introduction The BPCT’s Wildside Project is a large scale collaboration of BPCT, landowners, Christchurch City Council,
Department of Conservation, and Environment Canterbury working for the protection of a variety of
endemic, threatened, and iconic species.
The project began for the protection of breeding sites of pelagic bird species such as the endemic white-
flippered little blue penguin, the only titi (sooty shearwater) colony in Canterbury, and yellow-eyed
penguin at their northern breeding range. The Wildside has also been recognised internationally in the
IUCN Invertebrate Red Data Book (1983) for a place of high invertebrate endemism. Other iconic and
threatened species outcomes include the protection of jeweled gecko, spotted skink, the Banks
Peninsula tree weta and Akaroa daisy (both found only on the Wildside).
The Wildside is a nationally significant area for the protection of sea bird breeding sites as it bounds the
only two marine reserves on the east coast of the South Island, Pohatu and the Akaroa Marine Reserves,
and has the largest penguin colony on mainland New Zealand at Flea Bay.
The Wildside focuses on habitat protection, with 25% of the Wildside held in private or public reserve,
and predator control, with over 700 predator traps controlling feral cats, ferrets, stoats, weasels, and
possums laid out across 7,500 hectares of the Wildside.
Significance of Wildside Project
The Wildside is significant for several reasons: 1) It is large. At 13,500ha it is larger than Campbell Island
(the largest New Zealand predator free island). 2) The Wildside coordinates and manages a wide range
of conservation projects under one umbrella to bring about the restoration of a whole landscape. 3) It
provides protection and restoration ki uta ki tai : from summit to sea and covers a range of habitats;
from sub-alpine rocky outcrops and tussock land to coastal pelagic sea bird breeding habitat and beyond
to two marine reserves and a marine mammal sanctuary (with more than one full catchment protected
by covenants – Fishermans Bay (BPCT) and Nikau Pam Gully). 4) The protection is being carried out on a
living working landscape devoted to livestock production and tourism, and contains over one hundred
households. 5) The Wildside is highly accessible to the general public without entrance fees or controls,
with accessible walking tracks, roads, and iconic beaches. 6) The Wildside is home to an array of
endemic species including the Akaroa Daisy and Banks Peninsula tree weta. 7) The largest mainland
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penguin colony in Australasia is found at Flea Bay/Pohatu Marine Reserve. 8) Yellow-eyed penguins are
found here at their northern breeding range. 9) The last remaining breeding population of titi/sooty
shearwater in mainland Canterbury are protected here by a predator excluder fence. 10) The
community is highly engaged and supported by the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust.
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Figure 1 Wildside Map
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Wildside Outcomes
The Wildside project is managed under four broad themes; community engagement and support,
collaboration, habitat protection, and species restoration. These themes form the high-level outcomes
under which more detailed specific outcomes are grouped, and provide the basis of this report.
Wildside Vision Healthy land, water, people from summit to sea
Hei waiora, Hei whenua ora, Hei tangata ora, Ki uta ki tai
Outcomes
A: Conservation activities contribute to sustainable productivity and a prosperous Wildside community 1. Conservation programs are driven and maintained by the Wildside community. 2. Local schools are engaged in Wildside projects. 3. The Wildside community has the opportunity to be aware of the conservation values of their native
habitats and species. B: Shared commitment and collaboration to protect and sustain biodiversity on the Wildside 4. Research and monitoring contribute to better conservation management. 5. Effective research partnerships established with science providers. 6. All Wildside biodiversity conservation programs are adequately funded. C: Native habitats, ecosystems and species are protected, maintained and enhanced: Habitat 7. Wildside covenants and reserves are dominated by indigenous species. 8. Landowners are encouraged and supported to manage biodiversity and protect habitat corridors or
linking patches across property boundaries. 9. By 2030, Wildside streams support healthy native-dominated freshwater communities and
landowners are supported in protection and enhancement. D: Native habitats, ecosystems and species are protected, maintained and enhanced: Species 10. By 2030, monitored native bird populations show increased distribution and abundance compared
to 2013 baseline. 11. Landowners are encouraged to protect jeweled gecko populations. 12. Spotted skink populations have increased in size and distribution from 2013 baseline. 13. The distribution and abundance of the Akaroa daisy is maximized. 14. Distribution and abundance of Cooks scurvy grass Lepidium aegrum is increased. 15. Tree weta abundance, distribution, threats and management needs are known. 16. By 2030 the Wildside titi breeding population has increased in size and distribution compared to
2013 baseline. 17. The breeding population of yellow-eyed penguins on the Wildside has increased to 20 pairs by 2030. 18. The breeding population of white-flippered penguins on the Wildside has increased by 50% by 2030.
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A: Community
1. Conservation programs are driven and
maintained by the Wildside community.
The BPCT supports the Wildside Community
consisting of landowners, conservation groups,
and local and national government agencies
working together to achieve a shared vision
and outcomes. Collaboration is guided by DOC
partnership advice: see appendix, figure 6
(Auditor General , 2012).
Trappers Workshop
The Wildside Review recommended holding a trapping workshop for trappers and potential trappers.
Held in August 2015, the BPCT trappers’ workshop was well received with over 30 people attending to
learn from a range of expert trappers. Andy Cox DOC, presented the Wildside Review and a workshop on
rat control to assist in critical thinking before rat control is established. Wayne Beggs DOC Ranger
presented DOC best practice on mustelid and feral cat control as a reminder to experienced trappers of
the importance of lifelong learning and improvement of technique. Phil Crutchley CCC and Dave Hunter
Excell Corp. presented the practical component of the workshop from basic setting and trap type to how
to clean, mark, and calibrate traps for ongoing maintenance.
Photo 2 DOC’s Andy Cox and Wayne Beggs presenting DOC Best Practice at the 2015 Wildside trappers’ workshop; CCC Ranger Phil Crutchley presenting the practical component of the 2015 trapper’s workshop.
Photo 1 Representatives from DOC, CCC, ECan, BPCT and landowners meet four times per year as the Wildside Committee. Left to right: Anita Spencer DOC; Paul Devlin CCC; Phil Crutchley CCC; Marie Haley BPCT; Graham Sullivan ECan; Richard Simpson landowner.
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A&P Shows and Events
The BPCT has a strong ethic of community engagement and several events are held each year to engage
and educate the community. A&P Shows are a good opportunity to reach out to the rural sector, and
field days and celebrations help to upskill and connect with covenantors, trappers, supporters, and
funders.
Photo 3 Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust A&P Show exhibit; Rocky Outcrops educational field day.
School Engagement
2. Local schools are engaged in Wildside projects
School engagement is a highlight of the BPCT Wildside work programme. Taking local schools out to visit
the stunning landscape of the Wildside, learning from local experts and interacting with iconic local
species, reserves, and habitats, always leaves both staff and students with something to remember.
Students are able to learn all aspects of conservation from predator control to habitat protection. The
Wildside has worked successfully with Enviroschools and now with CCC’s LEOTC programme to create
positive learning experiences.
Photo 4 Botonist Hugh Wilson exploring native forest with local school children; Duvauchelle School visiting BPCT Kaik Hill
Covenant above Akaroa Harbour; Enviroschool exploring pest control methods with Wildside Trapper.
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Conservation Awareness
3. The Wildside community has the opportunity to be aware of the conservation values of their native
habitats and species.
The Wildside is a community influenced strongly by a grassroots conservation movement that began in
the 1980’s with the establishment of predator control for the white-flippered little blue penguins, titi,
and yellow-eyed penguins; the beginning of penguin farmers. “With little understanding of trapping and
predator control, farming communities were swapping ideas and learning from each other” (Hussain,
2014).
Hinewai Reserve was established in the heart of the Wildside, setting aside a block of gorse infested
farmland and revolutionising the conservation movement both here and across the country.
These innovative individuals set the path for the community of Banks Peninsula and most especially
landowners on the Wildside, where 25% of the land area is held in reserve or private covenant and
where most farmers now have a covenant or conservation initiative.
During the 1980s an economic slowdown gave rise to eco-tourism operations such as the Banks
Peninsula Track (the oldest private walking track in New Zealand at 26 years), and seal, penguin and
farm tours. This gave locals the opportunity to look at the environment from a new perspective
(Hussain, 2014).
Photo 5 Wildside Community made up of landowners, agency staff, other conservation groups, researchers and supporters meet
at the titi enclosure to gain a greater understanding of Wildside conservation projects; Wildside landowner Mark Armstrong
discusses the titi enclosure and his work in protecting the last breeding colony on mainland Canterbury.
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Wildside Supporters Group
A Supporters Group has been established to draw on a variety of innovative and forward thinking people
who have shown particular interest in the Wildside project. Areas of expertise include: project
management, fund management, tourism, trapping, research, technological innovation, and animal
health care.
An exciting initiative to arise out of this group
is the Cacophony Project, which uses modern
advances in technology to remotely record
bird song over long periods of time, aiming to
reduce observer error in forest bird
monitoring.
The project was inspired by the hunch that
bird song is increasing on the Wildside and its
surrounds but no valid evidence currently exists to support (http://cacophony.org.nz/, 2015).
B: Collaboration
4. Research and monitoring contribute to better conservation management.
Wildside Review
As a requirement of the Wildside’s Community
Conservation Partnership Funding, a review of the Wildside
Project was undertaken in a joint effort between DOCs Andy
Cox and the Wildside Committee represented by the
Wildside Coordinator Marie Haley. The review looked at a
selection of the Wildside trap lines and management
documents. The key recommendations were: 1. Habitat
protection including fencing, covenanting, and browser
control should be the highest priority. 2. Controlling
predators at selected penguin colonies and at the sooty
shearwaters colony should be the next priority (Cox &
Haley, 2015).
Photo 6 Wildside Supporters Group exploring conservation projects.
Photo 7 DOC staff and ECan contractors inspect the Otanerito trap line as part of the Wildside Review process.
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Research
5. Effective research partnerships established with science providers.
The Wildside Project is committed to using monitoring and research to assist in adaptive management
practices, a reference list of research is held by BPCT with research being wide and varied including
freshwater, invertebrate, habitat and socio-economic research such as interactions between
conservation and tourism (Hussain, 2014).
The BPCT has a sponsorship agreement in place with Lincoln University to provide research for
conservation projects. Canterbury University’s Frontiers Abroad Program undertake research into
Wildside outcomes and gains an opportunity for practical learning such as building tracks, establishing
photo points and making signs for the Panama Reserve, and undertaking penguin studies at Pohatu/Flea
Bay.
The Wildside uses research and best practice to guide management and has worked with Landcare
Research to establish outcomes, operating plans and assess evaluation frameworks (Jones & McNamara,
2014).
Funding
6. All Wildside biodiversity conservation programs are adequately funded.
The BPCT would like to take this opportunity to thank our funders and sponsors who ensure the success
of the Trust and our Wildside Project. Without their ongoing funding the success and scale of this
project would not be possible.
Corporate Sponsors
BPCT FOUNDATION SPONSORS – Anderson Lloyd, Perception PR & Marketing, Lincoln University &
Lyttelton Port Company.
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Independent Line Services – GOLD SPONSOR has provided a significant five years of
corporate sponsorship to assist in trapping operations. This is an ongoing successful
corporate partnership.
Blacks Fasteners – GOLD SPONSOR is a new and substantial corporate sponsor of
the Wildside Project. The BPCT is proud to be working alongside this highly
successful, 100% owned and operated New Zealand business.
Akaroa Waterfront Motels – SILVER SPONSOR of the BPCT Wildside project.
Funders
The Wildside was a recipient of the inaugural DOC Community Conservation Partnership Fund (2014)
for the employment of the Wildside Coordinator for three years.
Christchurch City Council provides an annual grant to support BPCT operations as well as providing
targeted support to the Wildside Project.
DOC and Environment Canterbury are key funders and partners of Wildside operations and support
BPCT with funds for biodiversity protection through covenanting of habitat.
The Canterbury Community Trust is a key supporter of BPCT and the Wildside Project.
The Rod Donald Banks Penunsula Trust is a key supporter of BPCT’s biodiversity work.
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C: Habitat
9. Landowners are encouraged and supported to manage biodiversity and protect habitat corridors or linking patches across property boundaries.
Covenanting
Wildside habitat is protected through 14 registered BPCT covenants, with three additional new
covenants in progress, and 14 QEII covenants. Covenants are important tools to assist landowners with
fencing and stock removal for the protection of important New Zealand ecosystems on private land.
Photo 8 Predator control and BPCT Covenants Coordinator Marie Neal at a new habitat and stream protection covenant on the
Wildside.
Reserves
Public and privately owned reserves make up 25% of the Wildside. Recent additions to this network of
protected land include: an extension to Nikau Palm Gully DOC Reserve of 90ha in Akaroa Harbour; the
creation of the 200ha Panama Reserve in Le Bons Bay; a new purchase of 190ha by the Native Forest
Restoration Trust to be managed by the 1270ha Hinewai Reserve; and the creation of the Akaroa Marine
Reserve close to the established Pohatu Marine Reserve.
The Wildside Map (figure 1) now clearly shows an extensive uninterrupted protected habitat and long
corridors of protection ki uta ki tai: from summit to sea.
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Photo 9 Josef Langer Trust Reserve (in distance) and Panama Rock c.1890 and 2014, showing from almost complete habitat
destruction to rapid regeneration and protection. The BPCT is in the process of covenanting this 200ha reserve on the Wildside.
Possum Control
Since 1987 approximately 18,000 possums have been removed from the 1270ha Hinewai Reserve and
independent monitoring by ECan has shown a residual trap catch (RTC) of close to 0% in this reserve.
The Banks Peninsula wide Community Initiated Program identified the Wildside as a high biodiversity
area and targeted possums in a 2543 ha ‘core’ of the Wildside over two years to reach a target of 2%
RTC. In 2013/14 independent monitoring showed a RTC of 1.4% (Environment Canterbury, 2014).
The CCC and DOC undertake possum control in key reserves and landowners have undertaken additional
possum control for biodiversity protection on private land (see Figure 9 CCC Misty Peaks).
D: Species
The Wildside is home to some important species. Whether they be threatened (hoiho), rare (spotted
skink), isolated remnant populations (titi), endemic (white-flippered penguin, Akaroa Daisy, Banks
Peninsula Tree weta, Cooks scurvy grass) or simply iconic (native birds), the Wildside project aims to
protect them all and restore them to healthy resilient populations. This is achieved through the
protection of habitat (reserves, covenants, land use management, marine reserves) and through the
control of introduced predators.
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Outcome Monitoring
Outcomes are assessed through monitoring. The table below outlines the Wildside species-specific
outcomes, the methods used to measure management effectiveness, and key results.
Outcome Method Results
10. Native bird populations increase in abundance and distribution
Slow-walk-transects, once a month for twelve months, CCC, across Wildside every five years.
2013 baseline completed, to be repeated in 2018.
11. Landowners supported in protecting Jeweled Gecko.
Initial jeweled gecko search with landowners and communication on protection.
Twelve landowners visited with herpetologist BAF funding. Education material distributed. Awareness of poachers and email network established.
12. Spotted skink populations have increased
Pitfall traps check on abundance of spotted skink within titi enclosure.
See graph of spotted skink data (appendix).
13. The distribution and abundance of the Akaroa daisy is maximized.
Number of new translocations or populations.
One new site established.
14. Lepidium aegrum (Cooks scurvy grass) abundance and distribution maximised.
Fishermans Bay plantings monitored, new plantings are investigated.
Two sites from initial five translocation sites remain, new site at Goat Point established.
15. Banks Peninsula tree weta distribution, threats and management needs are known.
Weta motels used to plot BP tree weta distribution.
Lincoln University Map; not available for distribution.
16. Titi population has increased in abundance.
Titi burrows burrow scoped for breeding attempts and fledging success.
Graph (see below).
17. Yellow-eyed penguin population increases.
YEP nest search and nest monitoring, fledging success.
Graphs YEP and YEP 2014/2015 season report (see below).
18. White-flippered penguin population increases.
Full colony count Flea Bay four yearly to check management effectiveness.
Table and graph of colony population numbers (see below)
Figure 2 Outcome, monitoring method and results.
Titi / Sooty Shearwater
20. By 2030 the Wildside titi breeding population has increased in size and distribution compared to 2013
baseline.
Titi were found across most Banks Peninsula headlands with small populations found on the Wildside
until a few decades ago (pers. comms). In the mid 1990’s only two pairs remained at the high cliffs tops
above Stony Bay. Landowners Mark and Sonia Armstrong deployed kiwi ingenuity and daring to fence
off this last habitat with chicken wire and to intensively trap around the small colony. These early efforts
were enough to stop titi disappearing entirely from mainland Canterbury. However, this work did not
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reduce predators to low enough numbers to ensure successful breeding and the fledging of chicks. In
2010 a complete predator excluder fence was closed around the colony and chick numbers jumped up
to 20 – 30 per year with nearly 50 occupied nests in the 2014/15 breeding season.
Titi nests are checked twice per year using a burrow scope for nest occupation and numbers of chicks
fledging. As the number of nests has rapidly increased the result of fewer chicks in 2014 – 2015 is
thought to be from an inability to check all nests with one burrow scope. A new burrow scope has been
purchased which should ensure more accurate monitoring in 2015 – 2016.
Figure 3 Titi burrow monitoring results 1995-2015.
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Photo 10 Titi / Sooty shearwater chick found during burrow scoping for fledging survival monitoring; titi enclosure fence and
habitat and Wildside Important Bird Area coastal cliff habitat (Forest & Bird, 2014).
Yellow-eyed Penguins / Hoiho
21. The breeding population of yellow-eyed penguins on the Wildside increases to 20 pairs by 2030.
Hoiho are an iconic New Zealand penguin and breed on the Wildside at their most Northerly range.
Monitoring of Yellow-eyed penguins (YEP) began on Banks Peninsula in 1988 (Dilks & Grindell, 1990).
The first decade of data shows a fluctuation and decline in both nests found and chicks fledged. Reports
indicate that during this time many adult YEP were found dead at or near nest sites due to predation.
Over the follow decade fewer nests were found and very few, if any, chicks fledged (see graph below).
Predator control in these years was focused on the protection of white-flippered penguins and did not
cover the full breeding habitat of the YEP. In the seven years since, predator control operations were
expanded to cover the full breeding range. Penguin nest numbers and chicks fledged have increased,
and most importantly, stabilised.
Figure 4 Yellow-eyed penguin / Hoiho nest and chick results 1998-2015
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This recovery is in line with the DOC species recovery plan for YEP for Banks Peninsula; to protect
breeding habitat, provide safe breeding environments, and ensure that established and productive
breeding populations are maintained (Department of Conservation, 2000-2025). Wildside management
has ensured that new breeding pairs have also been able to establish.
Although numbers are low across the Wildside the importance of this outlying population is becoming
more evident as other mainland penguin colonys face mass mortailty events caused by starvation and
toxins.
Two hundred and fifty hours of DOC, CCC, BPCT and voluntary time goes into searching for and
monitoring nests during the breeding season. Any injured or ill birds are taken in for expert vetinary
care and rehabilitation by a team of carers. Planning and communication has been strengthened to
ensure this collaborative approach to monitoring hoiho is successful (Haley, 2015).
Photo 11 Adult breeding yellow-eyed penguin; Wildside Coordinator Marie Haley monitoring fledging health.
White-flippered Little Blue Penguins
22. The breeding population of white-flippered penguins on the Wildside has increased by 50% by 2030.
White-flippered penguins are unique to Banks Peninsula and Motunau Island, with 70% of the Banks
Peninsula population found on the Wildside (Challies & Burleigh, 2005). Pohatu/Flea Bay is the largest
mainland penguin colony in all of Australasia. Francis and Shireen Helps are often called ‘Penguin
Farmers’ as, while they are traditional sheep and beef farmers, they also are responsible for an
expansive predator control effort, monitoring, and rehabilitation of the white-flippered penguins. To
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share this colony with interested visitors they run an eco-tourism operation to control how people
interact with the penguins.
The BPCT, DOC, CCC and ECan also protect these endemic penguins through predator control operations
of mustelids and feral cats. Every four years a full colony count is conducted which can take up to two
weeks, and 12 staff and volunteers to complete. The initial census in the summer of 2000/01 (Challies &
Burleigh, 2005) counted 717 pairs of penguin counted with an annual 5% increase to 1304 pairs of
penguins in 2012/13 (unpublished Wildside data). A thirteen year study of penguin nest boxes at
Pohatu/Flea Bay showed a breeding success rate of 64%, 75% of attempted nests hatching, and 85% of
these fledging (Allen, Helps, & Molles, 2011). This fledging success and population increase is largely
attributed to active management and predator control (Allen, Helps, & Molles, 2011).
Figure 5 White-flippered penguin colony count at Flea Bay 2000-2013.
717
893
1063
1304
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
2000/1 2004/5 2008/9 2012/13
Po
pu
lati
on
(p
airs
)
Year
White Flippered Little Blue Flea Bay Colony Count
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Photo 12 Endemic white-flippered little blue penguin in a nest monitoring box; Penguin farmer Francis Helps showing Akaroa
Area School students the results of his years of conservation work.
Predator Control
Ecological context for pest control
The remote nature of the Wildside with its steep and rugged terrain, wild weather and high rainfall,
dense forest and working rural farms, with no definitive geographical boundary, many access roads and
households, means a predator fence is not a viable option here for predator control. Predator control
operates catchment by catchment for the many and varied bays, concentrating on possum control for
habitat protection, and mustelid and feral cat control for pelagic sea bird protection.
The environmental features and human landscape use prohibit the use of widespread or often
controversial toxins for rat control, thus rat control is limited to areas where intensive control is possible
by ground bait stations.
For these reasons the Wildside cannot operate a pest eradication program but operates a pest reduction
program of lowering predator numbers to below 5%. This is based on scientific evidence of the benefits
to biodiversity under this level. Trap lines work in a network to reduce the ‘boundary’ or edge of the
trap lines, as an area is trapped the predators within are reduced but there is always an inward flow of
predators from outside the trapping program. Landowners and communities are encouraged to work
together to reduce predators and increase the effect of their trapping efforts.
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Predator Control Results
Figure 6 Predator trapping summary 2009-2014.
Feral Cats
Feral cats were a widespread problem across the Wildside and remain in low numbers at 2% of all kills
(Cochrane, 2014). Cats are a key predator of all three pelagic sea bird species protected on the Wildside.
Cats are controlled primarily by Timms traps and were controlled by shooting when cat numbers were
higher. Abandoned domestic cats are believed to be a source of many of the feral cats.
Stoats
Stoats are a key predator on Banks Peninsula found here in high numbers at 7% of total catch (Cochrane,
2014). The key prey species for stoats is rabbits and as rabbit numbers have been reduced by a Banks
Peninsula wide rabbit rate and by intensive rabbit control by farmers, stoat numbers appear to have
reduced.
Stoats were a key predator for white-flippered penguins in particular. In the 2000-01 penguin census
many penguin colonies were found decimated by stoats. The stoats would climb down cliff faces to
caves and rip the throat of penguins leaving them dead and uneaten. Even seemingly inaccessible
breeding sites were found predated by stoats.
Ferrets
In areas where predator trapping has occurred for several years trapped ferrets have dropped off to
virtually 1% of all catches (Cochrane, 2014). Ferrets are still caught in areas where trapping has recently
begun or in trapping working in isolation. Fenn traps are used for ferret control.
Yellow-eyed penguins were heavily predated upon by ferrets, especially vulnerable were unguarded
chicks close to fledging stage. Since yellow-eyed penguins have been protected across their breeding
range by predator control operations no predation has been recorded.
Hedgehogs
While hedgehogs are a recognized predator of invertebrates, lizards, and eggs, the recommended
trapping density for hedgehog control is beyond the capacity of the Wildside at this stage. Hedgehogs
are found in high numbers across the Wildside and are caught as bi-catch in all trap types, with up to
Cat Ferret Stoat Weasel Hedgehog Rat Mouse Possum Rabbit Total
Grand Total 97 32 298 63 2996 444 43 233 84 4290
Proportion 2 1 7 1 70 10 1 5 2 100
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust Wildside Report 2010 – 2015
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70% of all kills (Cochrane, 2014). DOC200 have replaced many Fenn traps to reduce the unwanted bi-
catch of hedgehogs which reduce the effectiveness of traps for catching target species of mustelids and
feral cats.
Hedgehogs have been removed from the 2ha titi enclosure (predator fence) as it has an expanding
population of spotted skinks. Titi burrow monitoring
shows an increase in cave weta, spiders, and other
invertebrates.
Rats
Rats are 10% of all kills (Cochrane, 2014) but are not
actively managed across the majority of the Wildside
due to geographic and technical restrictions. Rats are
controlled in three specific locations where full habitat
restoration is being pursued, this is achieved by ground
bait stations. The Wildside Review has recommended
that toxins are pulsed at end of winter/early spring to reduce rat numbers for the protection of nesting
birds and seed production.
Rats are controlled inside the titi enclosure for the protection of titi eggs and spotted skink. At Stony Bay
QEII covenant rats are controlled for the restoration of the forest habitat, nesting birds, and seed
production of nikau palm. At Kaik Hill BPCT covenant rats are controlled as a part of a complete predator
control project. This is possible as it is an isolated remnant forest system surrounded by farmland, which
creates a natural boundary to control.
Mice
Mice are not controlled on the Wildside. Mice are accepted in the titi enclosure (predator fence) as
removal and exclusion of re-entry is beyond current capacity.
Tracking Tunnel Results
Tracking tunnel results from 2013-14 indicated that stoat numbers averaged 3-10% across the Wildside
and Akaroa township, being detected higher in areas where no trapping occurs and in low numbers
were trapping is intensive and sustained.
Photo 13 Nikau palm seedlings are abundant where rats are managed.
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust Wildside Report 2010 – 2015
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Hedgehogs were found in the greatest numbers with an average of up to 30% detection. Hedgehogs
show a real drop off in activity down to 2% in winter when they go into hibernation. Rats are not
controlled actively across most of the Wildside and rats are found in averages of 7-18% of tracking
tunnels, higher in spring when food and conditions are right for population expansion. Mouse numbers
appear to be higher in native forest areas. Due to the extreme difficulty in controlling mice in an 'open'
landscape and the high likelihood of failure mice are currently accepted as present and unmanageable.
An average of 22% of tracking tunnels indicated mice were present. (Cochrane, 2013).
Tracking tunnel monitoring was conducted by Phillip Cochrane of Environment Canterbury in 2013 and
2014, for full results see: Cochrane, P. (2013). Tracking Tunnel Summary Wildside 2013. Christchurch:
Environment Canterbury.
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust Wildside Report 2010 – 2015
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References Allen, W. J., Helps, F. J., & Molles, L. E. (2011). Factors affecting breeding success of the Flea Bay white-
flippered penguin (Eudyptula minor albosignata) colony . New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 199-
208.
Auditor General . (2012). DOC: Prioritising and Partnering to Manage Biodiversity (Performance Audit
Report). Wellington: Office of the Auditor General.
Cacophony Project. (2015). http://cacophony.org.nz/. Akaroa: Cacophony.
Challies, C. N., & Burleigh, R. R. (2005). Abundence and breeding distribution of the white-flippered
penguin (Eudyptula minor albsignata) on Banks Peninsula New Zealand. Notornis, Vol. 51: 1-6.
Cochrane, P. (2013). Tracking Tunnel Summary Wildside 2013. Chirstchurch: Environment Canterbury.
Cochrane, P. (2014). Summary of Wildside Trapping 2009-2014. Christchurch, New Zealand:
Environment Canterbury.
Cox, A., & Haley, M. (2015). Wildside Review. Tai Tapu: Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust.
Department of Conservation. (2000-2025). Hoiho (Megadyptes anitpodes) recovery plan. Wellington:
Department of Conservation.
Dilks, P., & Grindell, J. (1990). Yellow-eyed Penguins on Banks Peninsula: A Preliminary Report.
Wellington: Department of Conservation.
Environment Canterbury. (2014). CIP Possum Results. Christchurch: Environment Canterbury.
Forest & Bird. (2014). New Zealand Seabirds: Important Bird Areas and Conservation. . Wellington: The
Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand, 77pp.
Haley, M. (2015). Yellow-eyed Penguin Observations Banks Peninsula, 2014/15 Season. Tai Tapu: Banks
Peninsula Conservation Trust.
Hussain, A. (2014). Pelagic birlife in relation to predator control and tourism: a case study of penguins in
Banks Peninsula New Zealand. Lincoln: Unpublished.
Jones, C., & McNamara, L. (2014). Usefullness of two bioeconomic frameworks for evaluation of
community-initiated species conservation projects. Wildlife Research.
United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals. www.un.org: United Nations.
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust Wildside Report 2010 – 2015
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Appendix Table of Photos
All photos by Marie Haley.
Photo 1 Representatives from DOC, CCC, ECan, BPCT and landowners meet four times per year as the
Wildside Committee. Left to right: Anita Spencer DOC; Paul Devlin CCC; Phil Crutchley CCC; Marie
Haley BPCT; Graham Sullivan ECan; Richard Simpson landowner. ....................................................... 10
Photo 2 DOC’s Andy Cox and Wayne Beggs presenting DOC Best Practice at the 2015 Wildside trappers’
workshop; CCC Ranger Phil Crutchley presenting the practical component of the 2015 trapper’s
workshop. .............................................................................................................................................. 10
Photo 3 Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust A&P Show exhibit; Rocky Outcrops educational field day. . 11
Photo 4 Botonist Hugh Wilson exploring native forest with local school children; Duvauchelle School
visiting BPCT Kaik Hill Covenant above Akaroa Harbour; Enviroschool exploring pest control methods
with Wildside Trapper. .......................................................................................................................... 11
Photo 5 Wildside Community made up of landowners, agency staff, other conservation groups,
researchers and supporters meet at the titi enclosure to gain a greater understanding of Wildside
conservation projects; Wildside landowner Mark Armstrong discusses the titi enclosure and his work
in protecting the last breeding colony on mainland Canterbury........................................................... 12
Photo 6 Wildside Supporters Group exploring conservation projects. ...................................................... 13
Photo 7 DOC staff and ECan contractors inspect the Otanerito trap line as part of the Wildside Review
process. .................................................................................................................................................. 13
Photo 8 Predator control and BPCT Covenants Coordinator Marie Neal at a new habitat and stream
protection covenant on the Wildside. ................................................................................................... 16
Photo 9 Josef Langer Trust Reserve (in distance) and Panama Rock c.1890 and 2014, showing from
almost complete habitat destruction to rapid regeneration and protection, BPCT is in the process of
covenanting this 200ha reserve on the Wildside. ................................................................................. 17
Photo 11 Titi / Sooty shearwater chick found during burrow scoping for fledging survival monitoring; titi
enclosure fence and habitat and Wildside Important Bird Area coastal cliff habitat (Forest & Bird,
2014). ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Photo 12 Adult breeding yellow-eyed penguin; Wildside Coordinator Marie Haley monitoring fledging
health. .................................................................................................................................................... 21
Photo 13 Endemic white-flippered little blue penguin in a nest monitoring box; Penguin farmer Francis
Helps showing Akaroa Area School students the results of his years of conservation work. ............... 23
Photo 14 Nikau palm seedlings are abundant where rats are managed. ................................................... 25
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Good practice criteria Details Wildside comment
Common understanding of risks and problems
Shared understanding of risks and problems that need to be addressed to reduce those risks?
1. Habitat protection 2. Predators threaten
rare and endemic species.
Shared outcome/result Is there clarity of purpose of collaboration?
Vision and outcomes set by Wildside community
Working agreement Is there a working agreement? Yes, Wildside Committee Charter agreement
Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
Are the working relationships underpinned by clearly defined and understood roles and responsibilities – including who will contribute what when?
Yes, Charter outlines deliverables for each agency.
Agreed strategy/action plan Is there an action plan to achieve results?
Goals
Actions and outputs
Timelines for milestones
Accountabilities
Reporting time frames and processes
Links to supporting management plans
Yes, outcomes, actions and outputs are agreed.
Timeline and accountability could be strengthened.
Reporting of outputs and monitoring of outcomes is centralized.
Links to government plans could be strengthened.
Measures to identify progress Is the effectiveness of the collaborative initiative able to be measured?
Outputs
Outcomes
Outputs are measured through resource investment and trap data.
Outcomes are measured through a range of species monitoring, which is constantly being developed and improved.
Operating plans and procedures
Are there explicit links to operating procedures, policies and risk management plans that need to be integrated into the group’s activities?
Integration with agency and BPCT policies could be improved.
Report, celebrate, and market achievements
Is there a plan for reporting results and celebrating/marketing achievements externally?
Yes, the Wildside Coordinators work plan clearly sets targets for the annual report, hosting a Wildside Celebration and
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust Wildside Report 2010 – 2015
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sharing success through various media and sponsorship reporting.
Review, adapt, improve Is there a planned time to review and adjust the working agreement?
Yes, the Wildside outcomes are currently under review. The Wildside project has been reviewed through a collaboration with DOC.
Other factors Is there awareness of:
Positive and supportive working relationships
Following through on commitments and championing initiative
Flexibility and willingness to balance individual organisational interests with the collaborative interests to achieve common outcomes
Strong chief executive commitment and sponsorship of the initiative
Organisational culture that supports collaboration
Landowners, agencies and conservation groups work together towards shared goals with mutual respect.
Parties work hard to ensure commitments are met.
The Wildside Committee works together to share initiative and improve programs.
Agency restructures have tested and strengthened the flexibility of the Wildside Committee.
BPCT has employed a General Manager to oversee BPCT operations.
DOC CCP Funding has highlighted the success and recognition of the Wildside collaboration.
BPCT has a strong culture of collaboration, all of its projects rely on assisting landowner and agency interaction to mutual benefit.
Figure 7 DOC: Prioritising and Partnering to Manage Biodiversity (Performance Audit Report) Dec 201; appendix 3; page 81.
Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust Wildside Report 2010 – 2015
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Figure 8 Wildside Financial Summary 2015.
Outcome Action Location Group Hours Amount Source
CCC, DOC,
Ecan
costed
$50/hour
CCC DOC EcanLandowner
@$20/hr
DOC CCP
Fund
BPCT
BioFunds
Independ
ent Line
Services
Josef
Langer
CharitableT
rust
Hinewai
Reserve
Community
Initiated
Program
TOTALS 4,178 221,482 31,500 43,650 9,320 35,520 31,152 11,300 6,500 20,500 7,040 25,000
1 Community Driven project Wildside BPCT 354 12,036 7,036 5,000
2 Schools engaged Wildside BPCT 40 1,360 860 500
3 Landowner engagement Wildside BPCT 156 5,304 3,304 2,000
4 Monitoring & Reporting Wildside BPCT 150 5,100 5,100
5 Research Wildside BPCT 74 2,516 2,516
6 Funding Wildside BPCT 100 3,400 3,400
13 Jeweled gecko Wildside BPCT 8 272 272
14 Spotted Skink Stony Bay DOC 40 2,000 2,000
Stony Bay BPCT 8 272 272
16 Lepidium aegrum Fishermans Bay DOC 8 400 400
Fishermans Bay BPCT 16 544 544
17 Tree Weta Wildside BPCT 16 544 544
20 Titi monitoring Stony Bay CCC 32 1,600 1,600
Stony Bay BPCT 16 864 320 544
Stony Bay DOC 24 1,200 1,200
20 Titi restoration planting Stony Bay DOC 300 300
21 Yellow-eyed penguin monitoring Wildside CCC 72 3,800 3,800
Wildside DOC 64 3,450 3,450
Wildside BPCT 112 3,808 2,008 1,800
22 White fl ippered little blue penguin Wildside BPCT 48 1,632 1,632
Possum control Misty Peaks CCC 200 11,300 11,300
Hinewai Reserve Hinewai 7,040 7,040
Community Initiated ProgramCIP 25,000 25,000
20,21,22 Mustelid Trapping Misty Peaks CCC 96 5,300 5,300
Goughs Bay CCC 6,500 6,500
Flea, Stony, Otanerito DOC 240 13,000 13,000
Titi enclosure DOC 20 1,000 1,000
Stony, Otanerito Ecan 9,320 9,320
Wildside BPCT 128 5,120 3,120 2,000
Wildside ILS 6,500 6,500
Wildside voluntary Landowner 1260 25,200 25,200
Stony Bay, Armstrong's Landowner 250 5,000 5,000
Flea Bay, Helps' Landowner 250 5,000 5,000
Wildside JLCT 20,500 20,500
Other Wildside 396 25,300 3,000 22,300
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Figure 9 Possum monitoring results in Misty Peaks CCC Reserve
Figure 10 Spotted skink monitoring results titi enclosure.
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Figure 11 List of Wildside endemics and threat ranking, DOC (below).
PLANTS
TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES
Scientific name Common name Threat ranking as of Nov
2014
Hemideina ricta Banks Peninsula tree weta
Perigops suterii 6 eyed spider
Plutellus parvus Earthworm
Maoridrilus modestus Earthworm
Neochaeta forsteri) Earthworm
Megadromus guerinii Ground beetle
Holcaspis suterii Carabid beetle
Mecodema howitti Carabid beetle
FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES
Scientific name Common name Threat ranking as of Nov 2014
Edpercivalia banksiensis Caddisfly Nationally endangered
Hydrobiosis styx Nationally endangered
Tiphobiosis hinemai Nationally critical
Costachorema peninsulae
Zealandobius wardii Stonefly
Neocurupira chiltoni Net winged midge
Scientific name Common name Threat ranking as of Nov 2014
Tmesipteris Horomaka Banks Peninsula fork fern Nationally critical
Lepidium aegrum Banks Peninsula scurvy grass Nationally critical
Celmisia mackaui Akaroa daisy Naturally uncommon
Hebe strictissima koromiko Not threatened
Hoheria populnea var
lanceolata
Lacebark/houhere Not threatened